Converting lighting from t5 input needed

[Rick]

After taking a break from the hobby due to several moves I’ve set everything back up. Haven’t really been in the game since 2015/16
Currently running an ATI 6x39w w 36” reefbrite xho
Looking to update lights I know when I left LED seemed hit or miss for sps only. The newer options seem great

new tank is a little over a year old currently removing the softies that I initially put in for the kids while everything established
48x18x18

 

[kenchilada]

Looks like you already have a great setup. Maybe T5 isn’t fashionable on the youtube reefing infomercials but it still works as well as it always has. Just sayin!

 

[Rick]

It’s a killer set up, just bored with the appearance honestly.

 

[Rick5]

Switch up the bulbs.

 

[Rick]

I’ve run every combo of t5 ATI KZ etc
The current combo is as good as it gets IMO
2 coral plus
2 blue plus
2 super actinic
The blue bulbs just wash everything out very easily
The coral plus are great and the actinic give a nice pop
I’ve run 6/8/10 bulb fixtures just tired of the flat look after 10yrs

 

[stephj03]

What corals are you wanting to focus on? I would go G5 if you decide to switch simply for the resale value if you decide to switch again. G4s are prob gonna start to slide in value like the G3s did after G4s were out in big numbers.

All the marketing videos are going to tell you that 1 XR30 or a couple of xr15s will be enough. If you want a mixed reef you might get by on that.

For SPS dominant I would suggest at least 2 XR15 and an Aquatic Life Hybrid unit.

That would be a banging setup IMO.


But keep the Reefbrite and T5 unit in the attic. LED with T5 supplement will get you better color and spectrum flexibility, but it's unlikely it will ever match the growth rate you can achieve with T5 and LED supplement (your current config).

I went all LED to start my build after several years off and slowly migrated to a hybrid setup as I became acro-centric and missed the growth rate I use to have.

 

[Rick]

So I’m not so worried about growth with the newer LED seems like a lot of guys and LFS are having very similar growth rates now to t5 was just looking for input on specific lights as I’ve read a lot of mixed info on the 3 options stated
Gen3-5 with all the optics options that have been made available more recently

fwiw the stability is not an issue on the system
The ATB 840 keeps water too clean if anything and I’ve got the old profilux sa dosed dialed in for ca/kh levels

typically I would just go with whatever the newest model is but the optics that seem to fox previous models are what have me questioning

 

[stephj03]

If you're not concerned about the slower growth you'll get with LED, then just go 3 G5 XR-15 and call it a day.

I don't think there's a whole lot of debate about the newest gen having the best blend and spread of the gens that are out there.

All will grow coral about as well as each other. G3 and G4 are puck style and lower wattage than the G5, that's why they have diff optics.

The G5 is a panel layout and higher wattage so it can get away without optics or a diffuser.